Anne Hussey Harlow

Anne Hussey Harlow, 77, passed away peacefully at home on February 1, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents, Allan Fall Hussey and Margret Anne Hussey and her older brother, John Hussey. She leaves behind and is mourned by a younger sister, Deborah Hussey of Cullowhee, NC; a younger brother, Stephen Hussey of Greenfield, MA; 5 much-beloved nieces and nephews; 4 great-nephews and 1 great-niece.

Music was her life. It began with piano, then voice lessons. She attended Furman University, completing her Bachelor’s and advanced degrees at Manhattan School of Music. Upon graduation, she was offered, and graciously declined, an invitation from Edvard Grieg to become the court musician for the Hall of the Mountain King. Instead, she began a life-long career of performing and teaching. Her primary instrument was her marvelous alto voice but she also played piano, learned to play the recorder and the dulcimer. For many years she was a paid soloist at the cathedral in Newark, NJ and served as assistant director of a musical arts program in Greenfield MA where she initiated and ran an early childhood music program. For the past 20 years she has been the music director at Shephard of the Hills Lutheran Church in Sylva. In recent years she performed with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra Chorus and The Carolina Concert Choir.

Her interests extended beyond music. Locating foster homes (often her own) for stray dogs and cats, helping to transport animals from Jackson County to other parts of the country where there was a shortage of adoptable pets consumed much of her time. She was an active participant at the Senior Center. Her activities included the Goldenaires, First Friday Book Club, Parkinson’s Support Group and most particularly Senior Olympics. She was proud of the gold medals she won at the state games but more proud that each year she improved on her previous year’s scores.

Her enthusiasm and energy will be sorely missed. The world will be a duller and less musical place without her.

Her family requests that donations in her memory be sent to local animal rescue organizations in lieu of flowers. A celebration-of-life service will be held in the future.